Open Oh sister of mine

[Laute]

Laute turned his head to the Moth Queen, staring at her for a moment before realizing she was giving him a lesson. A lesson in moving--no, what had Scorn called it? Swimming. A lesson in swimming.

He watched her in disbelief as she floundered in the water, her face entering and leaving the water. Was she trying to drown herself? No, what. There was a method to her madness. He could see a pattern in her actions, the sliding of limbs in and out of the water. Her head escaping the watery prison for gasps of air.

An animal's death throes. It looked somewhat like that, but more controlled.

When she stopped, he realized it was his turn. Laute swallowed, nervous. He'd have climbed out but for his pride. And curiosity.

And maybe for the chance to gloat. What would Scorn say if she knew he had mastered this water world before her?

With a hand still gripping the rock, he attempted the first action she had down. Floating. Lifting his limbs to the surface, he gasped and chocked as he started to sink. Immediately he pulled himself to the rock and pulled himself up. Coughing, he clung to the rocky ledge.

What was this? Maybe she was trying to kill him. He wasn't staying on the water like she did. Did the silent one leave something out?

He turned to look at her, but the other Symenestra had gotten her attention first, tossing more of the water on her.

Where they all trying to die? Maybe he should get out now, while he had the chance.

But Viridae was there. He refused to fail in front of another hunter.

If the Moth could do it, so could he.

He just had to make sure not to drown while doing so.

Laute sank back into the waters and attempted it once more. And again. And--

Spluttering, he pulled himself back to the rock. This was madness. Each attempt had him sinking. There had to be some trick to this. Maybe he needed air in his belly? Maybe--Scorn had her wings behind her when she was trying this. Would spreading himself out work?

Still gripping the rock, he slowly spread his limbs across the water. Okay, that wasn't too bad. Now he dipped his face into the water.

So far, he was still floating. Somewhat. The water tickled his ears uncomfortably. Pulling his head out of the water, he resisted the urge to shake the water out of him. His hand gripped the rocky ledge tightly.

He'd have to let go to see if he mastered it. Calming himself, he let go.

And he was still floating. Somewhat.


What had she done next? Her arms had moved. Her head was in the water. Then her legs...

The head was the easiest part and he put his head back into the water. The tingling returned to his ears. It was a feeling he could not get used to. Opening his eyes, he paused, transfixed. It was another world down here. His lungs started to burn and he quickly lifted his head out of the water. Gasping, he filled his lungs.

And lost his grip on the floating. Trashing, he managed to grab the rock and safety with it.

[Poison]

Viridae:

Skills: Observation 1, Diving 1, Swimming 2

Lores: Aditi: Laute’s slave

Sosicly:

Skills: Observation 1, Writing 1, Swimming 1

Lores: Seivis: Viridae’s Sister; Aditi: Laute’s slave

Laute:

Skills: Observation 1, Swimming 2

Lores: Acquaintance: Sosicly Magnolia; Seivis: Viridae’s Sister; Location: the Blue Grotto; What a Moth Queen is

Notes: I enjoyed reading this thread, especially Laute's interaction with the Symenestra. As it was a social thread, I couldn't give you much in the way of XP. If you have any issues with the way I graded this thread, send me a PM please!

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